ASSESSMENT OF MIGRATION, DISPLACEMENT AND RELIANCE ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE WITHIN INTERNALLY DISPLACE PERSONS CAMPS IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

This study examines the nexus between forced migration, displacement, and reliance on traditional medicine among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North-Central Nigeria, with emphasis on Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory. Displacement in the region driven largely by farmer herder conflicts has pushed thousands into poorly resourced formal and informal camps where access to modern healthcare is severely constrained. Clinics are scarce, poorly staffed, and financially inaccessible, compelling many IDPs to depend on indigenous medical systems. Adopting a mixed-methods design, the research combines surveys (n = 500), in- depth interviews, and focus group discussions to capture both statistical trends and lived experiences of IDPs. Findings indicate that over 60% of displaced persons rely on herbal remedies, traditional birth attendants, and spiritual healers, far higher than rates among host communities. Key drivers of this reliance include affordability (68.4%), cultural familiarity (56.8%), accessibility (55.6%), and enduring trust in indigenous healing. Logistic regression further reveals significant associations between reliance on traditional medicine and socio-economic variables such as education level, income, and distance to healthcare facilities. The study concludes that displacement not only uproots populations but also reshapes healthcare-seeking strategies, making traditional medicine central to IDP survival. While culturally embedded and accessible, unregulated reliance on these practices raises concerns regarding safety and delayed treatment. The research recommends integrating traditional practitioners into humanitarian health systems, strengthening camp-based healthcare infrastructure, and developing regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and culturally responsive care.